The Language Arts A Balanced Approach to Teaching Reading, Writing, Listening, Talking, and Thinking

by Cramer, Ronald L.

• ISBN13: 9780321087249
• ISBN10: 0321087240
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-11
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Described by reviewers as one of the most comprehensive and complete texts to be published in the field in years,Teaching the Language Artsprovides readers with a truly balanced approach to the teaching of language arts with an emphasis on the arts themselves. Written with the belief that all children and teachers possess creative potential, the author masterfully integrates essential elements of phonics instruction with critical principles of literature-based instruction, namely literature, comprehension, writing, and oral language. Cramer's engaging writing style leaves readers feeling as though they "are in a conversation with the author" and clearly answers the question, "How can we teach Language Arts well?"

Author Biography

Ronald L. Cramer is Distinguished Professor of Education at Oakland University in the Department of Reading and Language Arts, where he directs the Reading and Writing Clinics.

Table of Contents

Each chapter begins with ldquo;Chapter Openerrdquo;

ldquo; A literacy storyrdquo; and concludes with

ldquo;Practical Teaching Ideas and Activities,rdquo

ldquo;Reflection and summary,rdquo;

ldquo;Questions to Challenge Your Thinking,rdquo

ldquo;A Case Study,rdquo

ldquo;Return to the Anticipation Guide,rdquo

ldquo;References.rdquo

Foundations and Approaches to Teaching the Language Arts

A Philosophy For Teaching the Language Arts

Integrating the Language Arts

Literature Based Language Arts

The Influential Teacher

5A The Promise of Technology

Three Approaches to Language Arts Instruction

Organizing Learning Environments: Language, Learning, and Diversity

Intellectual, Therapeutic and Cultivated Environments

Classroom Management

Creating Physically Inviting Environments

4A Environments For Developing Language, Thinking, and Meaning

Environments Where Diversity Flourishes

Assessing Writing and Reading

Three Types of Assessment

Principles of Assessment

Assessing Writing

Assessing Reading

Standards, High stakes Testing, Accountability, and the Curriculum

Listening and Talking

Listening

Talking

Emerging Literacy

Reading-Writing Relationship

Literacy in the Home

Emergent Writing Concepts

Emergent Reading Concepts

Assessing Emergent Reading and Writing

Six Conclusions About Emergent Literacy

Literature and Literacy

1A The Value of Literature

Qualities, Quirks, and Issues in Children's Literature

Literary Elements

Genres of Literature

5A Response to Literature

6A Libraries and Children's Literature

Reading Literature to Children

The Story Teller's Art

Content Literacy: Reading and Writing in the Content Areas

Reading in the Content Areas

Writing in the Content Areas

Teaching Children to Comprehend Written Text

Defining Comprehension

Factors Influencing Comprehension

Four Underlying Comprehension Components

Thinking About the Commonly Named Comprehension Skills

Comprehension Strategies: Before, During, and After Reading

6A The Role of Question Asking in Reading

7A Guided Reading

8A Helping Struggling Readers

Word Study: Word Recognition, Dictionary, and Vocabulary Knowledge

Word Recognition

Dictionary Skills

Vocabulary

Writing Process in a Workshop Environment

Graves' Writing Principles

Writing Process Stages

Writing Workshop

Poetry for Children

Preparing Children for Poetry

Responding to Children's Poetry

Sources of Inspiration for Writing Poetry

The Language and Technical Devices of Poetry

5A Forms for Creating Poetry

The Mechanics of Writing: Grammar, Punctuation, Capitalization, and Handwriting

Grammar

Punctuation and Capitalization

Handwriting

The Spelling Connection: Integrating Reading, Writing, and Spelling

Integrating Reading, Writing, and Spelling Instruction

Stages of Spelling Growth

Approaches to Teaching Spelling

Strategies for Teaching and Learning Spelling

Instructional Issues

Selecting Spelling Words

Invented Spelling

Assessing Spelling

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.